Turning battery waste into strategic mineral wealth
The Hindu - Opinion · Published 11 November 2026 · Last updated
India's ban on lithium-ion battery black mass exports and rising global concerns over critical mineral weaponisation highlight the urgent need to secure strategic supply chains.
Key points
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned against the weaponisation of technology and critical minerals during his concluding remarks at the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 13, 2026.
- The Indian government changed the export status of lithium-ion battery black mass from free to prohibited with immediate effect through a notification by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Department of Commerce.
- The export prohibition applies to unsorted lithium-ion battery black mass and associated battery waste that do not contain lead, cadmium, or mercury.
- The prohibition covers recycled battery materials containing valuable metals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, and manganese.
- The regulatory amendment aims to encourage domestic processing of critical battery materials and support India's electric-vehicle supply-chain ambitions.
- India is targeting electric vehicles to account for 30% of new car sales and 80% of new two- and three-wheeler sales by 2030.
- China currently dominates the processing of critical minerals, creating high import dependence for countries like India.
- The International Energy Agency forecasts that global demand for critical minerals could triple by 2030 and quadruple by 2040.
- Pakistan's Chagai district hosts major copper-gold deposits, including the Reko Diq project developed in partnership with Barrick Mining.
- The Reko Diq Porphyry Complex comprises 18 porphyry systems containing major copper and gold deposits.
Background
- Growing electrification of transport and energy-intensive sectors has steadily increased global consumption of electricity, lithium-ion batteries, and electrical conductors.
- Global supply chains for critical minerals remain geographically concentrated and vulnerable to geopolitical tensions, resource nationalism, and trade restrictions.
Prelims facts and Mains angle for this issue are in the full SWAदेSH note.
Original report: The Hindu - Opinion